checkcheck2 ●●●S1W3 noun1finding out [countable]CHECK/MAKE SURE the process of finding out if something is safe, correct, true, or in the condition it should becheck onthe need for tighter checks on arms salesConduct regular checks on your water quality.run/carry out/make a checkI decided to run a check on all personnel.I keep a careful check on my blood pressure.have a check British EnglishHave a check in your bag first and see if it’s there.the airport’s routine security checksrandom drug checkshealth/medical/dental etc check (=a test done to make sure you are healthy)spot check (=a quick check of one thing among a group of things, that you do without warning)a spot check on the accounts2 →keep/hold somebody/something in check3a control on something [countable usually singular]CONTROL something that controls something else and stops it from getting worse, continuing to happen etccheck onHigher interest rates will act as a check on public spending.4 →checks and balances5pattern [countable, uncountable]CF a pattern of squares, especially on clotha shirt with brown and black checkscheck suit/jacket etc (=made with cloth patterned with checks)a blue cotton check dress →checked6from your bank [countable]PAY FOR the Americanspelling of chequecheck fora check for $30by checkCan I pay by check?7in a restaurant [countable] American English a list that you are given in a restaurant showing what you have eaten and how much you must pay syn bill British English► see thesaurus at bill8 →coat/hat check9mark [countable] American EnglishWRITE a mark (✓) that you put next to an answer to show that it is correct or next to something on a list to show that you have dealt with it syn tick British English10chess [uncountable]DGB the position of the king (=most important piece) in chess where it can be directly attacked by the opponent’s piecesCOLLOCATIONSverbsdo a checkI did a quick check of all the windows, locked the door and left.make a check (=do a check)One of the nurses makes regular checks during the night.run a check (=especially on something that is strange or suspicious)You should run a virus check before downloading from the Internet.carry out/conduct a check formal (=do or run a check)The police carried out a check on the car’s registration number.have a check British EnglishAlways have a final check to make sure you’ve got your ticket and passport.give something a checkI’d like you to give the car a careful check.keep a check on somebody/something (=check something regularly)Keep a check on your baby’s temperature.go for a medical/dental etc checkShe advised me to go for a medical check.ADJECTIVES/NOUN + check a quick checkA quick check showed that someone had been in the room.a thorough/careful checkAn engineer gave the computer a thorough check.a routine check (=happening as a normal part of a process)I went to the doctor for a routine health check.a random check (=done without any definite pattern)Customs officials were carrying out random checks on cars.a regular checkIt’s vital to keep a regular check on your bank balance.a close check (=a careful one)His teacher was keeping a close check on his progress.a safety/security checkThe security checks at the airport can take a long time.a health/medical checkPeople over 60 should have regular medical checks.a background check (=to get information about someone’s previous work, education, family etc)The company conducts background checks on security employees.a credit check (=to get information about someone’s financial history)Banks usually do a credit check before they give you a loan.a spot check (=a quick check of one thing in a group done to obtain information)They did a spot check on 160 vehicles to see how many passengers were wearing seat belts.a spell check (=a process in which a computer program tells you if you have spelt words wrong)Have you done a spell check on your essay?